What a goverment shutdown could look like

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(WBNG Binghamton) The threat of government shutdown grows closer with just hours left to reach an agreement. If Congress can't agree to budget terms by midnight Monday, parts of the federal government will lose funding and be forced to shut down.

A federal budget deal is on hold because of major disagreements between the House and Senate on the Affordable Care Act, or what's more commonly known as "Obamacare."

Given a compromise is nowhere in sight, it's time to start thinking about what a federal government shut down would look like.

Nationwide, portions of the Department of Motor Vehicles will have to close if a shutdown occurs. All passports and visa applications will be suspended.

Broome County Clerk Richard Blythe said his department received word from the Buffalo Passport Agency for a contingency plan, and they will be operating "business as usual."

"So far there is no apparent adverse affect on our operations," Blythe said in an e-mail Tuesday morning, "Although if the shutdown goes on and on we may be indirectly affected by a falloff in deed and mortgage submittals."

The parts of government that will stay open are key to national security, public safety and protection.

The county clerk for the U.S. Northern District Federal Courthouse said there should be no immediate impact of a shutdown. Larry Baerman said the courthouse is considered an essential service, so they have judiciary carry-over funds that can be used. But, he says those funds will only keep things running for about 10 days.

Lockheed Martin in Owego has multiple contracts with the Department of Defense. In a statement released Monday officials said Lockheed "is hopeful that a compromise can be reached to avert a government shutdown.

"We recognize and value the important role of the thousands of federal employees and members of the military who serve our nation and the work we do in defense, homeland security, space and information technology to support their missions," the company said in a statement.

"If the government shuts down, we will continue to conduct business with a constancy of purpose, a steadfast commitment to our employees and a continuing focus on serving our customers. Unless we receive guidance from our customers, our facilities will remain open, and our employees will continue to receive their pay and benefits."

BAE Systems in Endicott also works with defense contracts. Their full statement reads,

"Government shutdown appears imminent; impacts could vary for BAE Systems, Inc.," according to their statement. "President Obama and Congress have not reached agreement on a continuing resolution to fund the federal government beyond today, when the current fiscal year ends. Consequently, a temporary shutdown of the U.S. government, starting at midnight tonight, appears imminent.

"While we hope this event will be short-lived," the statement reads, "We need to be prepared for anything. Impact to our company could vary greatly, from little to none on programs that have long-term funding, to significant and immediate on those that don’t. In addition, the consequences of the shutdown likely will differ not just by sector and site, but by contract and individual work group.

"For the remainder of this workweek at least, pay and benefits for BAE Systems employees will not change. Employees will continue to receive pay through their current workweek, whatever the shutdown’s contractual consequences, and we will continue providing certain benefits to non-union employees and their families for up to 90 days. Continued benefits for bargaining-unit employees are governed by collective bargaining agreements. Our leadership is working hard to assess the potential impact if the funding impasse continues."